Senior center hosting health fair

A free health fair next Thursday is a first for the Portales Senior Citizens Center.

Organizers hope it gives the community and senior citizens a chance to talk to a certified dietary manager, have their blood pressure checked, hearing aids checked and more.

Director of the Senior Center Dawn Kryder said this is the first health fair at the senior center.

“One of my passions is quality of life,” Kryder said. “Health is a big issue, and compared to what their days were, what medical care was, things have changed.”

The fair starts with several expert speakers, who will be available for anyone to talk to about health issues or concerns they might have.

Those attending can also learn about safety issues and natural health products for seniors.

“It gives them an opportunity to find out that information with the economy like it is today without them trying to figure out how to pay out of pocket,” Kryder said. “Nutrition, hydration and a lot of things they might not know about.”

A speaker is scheduled to talk about geriatric medicine. Information on an Alzheimer’s support group will be provided at noon.

Kryder said she wants to have the health fair quarterly with new speakers and new education issues depending on the time of the year.

“I think it is very important,” Kryder said “It is also to let seniors know about our building out here and that we have tons of things going on out here.”

Miriam Welker, president of the senior association, said the health fair is something she wanted to get started for years.

“It is open to the community. Age has no difference as far as we are concerned,” Welker said. “Anyone is welcomed to come out and learn something from the program.”

Welker wants to know about more dishes that can be prepared for diabetics.